Northern Football League

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Template:Short description Template:Other uses Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox football league The Northern League is a British men's football league in north east England. Having been founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest football league in the world still in existence after the English Football League.

It contains two divisions; Division One and Division Two. Division One sits on the ninth tier of the English football league system, five divisions below the Football League. These leagues cover the historic counties of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and Yorkshire's North Riding. The champion club of Division One is promoted to the lower division of the Northern Premier League.

History

The Northern league was one of many leagues formed the year after the Football League. In its first season, it consisted of ten clubs that were a mixture of professional and amateur organisations. During its early years, the competition included clubs such as Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Darlington that would go on to play in the Football League. In 1905, the league split into two divisions, one professional and one amateur. The next year, however, the Northern League made the decision to abolish the professional division and restrict itself to amateur clubs, or at least clubs that claimed to be amateur.

The area covered by the Northern League is coloured in red.

Between the World Wars and in the early years following World War II, the Northern League's amateur status meant that they and their equivalent in the London area, the Isthmian League, dominated the old FA Amateur Cup. The two Leagues continued to be separate from the professional game which was dominated by the Football League, Southern League and, from 1968, the Northern Premier League.

The Northern League and Isthmian League (with its feeder leagues) continued to claim amateur status right up until, following pressure, amateur status was abandoned by the Football Association in 1974. This left amateur leagues like the Northern League to find a place in the overall structure of non-League football. Unlike the Isthmian League, which became a feeder to the Alliance Premier League in 1982, the Northern League and its clubs rejected repeated invitations. It was not until 1988 that two Northern League clubs, Bishop Auckland and Whitley Bay, accepted places in the Northern Premier League. Others including Penrith, North Shields and Spennymoor United jumped ship to neighbouring leagues (the North West Counties League and Northern Counties East League).<ref name="fchd">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Northern League formally became a feeder to the Northern Premier League, but still few clubs took the opportunity of promotion, with only five moving up over the next 20 years (Gretna in 1992, Blyth Spartans in 1994, Whitby Town in 1997, Newcastle Blue Star in 2007 and Durham City in 2008).<ref name="fchd" /> Since the mid-2010s, FA rules have meant that clubs who are eligible can no longer refuse promotion, and two Northern League clubs are now promoted each season (the champions and the winner of a four-team playoff).

Since 1995, Northern League clubs have competed for the FA Vase, with some success, having won 11 finals, losing 4 finals. There were two all Northern League finals in 2012 (Dunston UTS beat West Auckland Town) and 2020 (Hebburn Town beat Consett).

The League had an unusual sponsorship deal put in place by Brooks Mileson, owner of the Albany Group, who were its sponsors in 2003. In that year, Mileson announced that he had created a trust which would continue to sponsor the league throughout his lifetime and that of his sons. In 2008, however, the league announced that this sponsorship had come to an end, and it held a raffle to determine its next sponsor. Interested parties were invited to buy a stake in the raffle for £250. The winning stake was held by a local training company and the league was known as the skilltrainingltd Northern League from the 2008–09 season until the 2011–12 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The league is currently sponsored by dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Level 11 clubs from the North Riding Football League, Northern Football Alliance and Wearside Football League may apply for promotion into the Northern League's Second Division (level 10).

Current members

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Division One

Club Home ground
Birtley Town Birtley Sports Complex
Boro Rangers Trinity College, Middlesbrough
Carlisle City Gillford Park
Crook Town The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground
Easington Colliery Welfare Ground (Easington)
Guisborough Town King George V Ground
Horden CW Horden Recreation Ground
Kendal Town F.C. Parkside Road
Marske United Mount Pleasant
Newcastle Benfield Sam Smith's Park
Newcastle Blue Star Scotswood Sports Centre
North Shields Daren Persson Stadium
Northallerton Town Calvert Stadium
Penrith Frenchfields Stadium
Shildon Dean Street
Thornaby Teesdale Park
West Allotment Celtic East Palmersville Sports Pavilion
West Auckland Town The Wanted Metal Stadium
Whickham The Glebe Sports Ground
Whitley Bay Hillheads Park

Division Two

Club Home ground
A.F.C. Newbiggin Newbiggin Sports Centre
Alnwick Town St James' Park
Billingham Synthonia Broughton Road
Billingham Town Bedford Terrace
Boldon CA Boldon Colliery Welfare
Chester-le-Street Town Moor Park
Darlington Town Eastbourne Community Stadium
Durham United Graham Sports Centre
Grangetown Boys Club F.C. B&W Lifting Ltd Stadium
Esh Winning West Terrace
FC Hartlepool Grayfields Enclosure
Jarrow Perth Green CA
Newcastle University Kimberley Park (Prudhoe)+
Park View Riverside
Prudhoe Youth Club Kimberley Park
Redcar Town The Vibrant Doors Stadium
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Kingsley Park
Seaham Red Star Seaham Town Park
Sunderland RCA Meadow Park
Sunderland West End Ford Quarry
Tow Law Town Ironworks Road
Yarm & Eaglescliffe Bedford Terrace (Billingham)+

+ indicates ground share

Champions

Middlesbrough Ironopolis were champions three times in a row in the 1890s.

Originally the league comprised a single division. The champions were as follows:<ref name="RS">Template:Cite web</ref>

Season Champions
1889–90 Darlington St. Augustine's
1890–91 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1891–92 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1892–93 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1893–94 Middlesbrough
1894–95 Middlesbrough
1895–96 Darlington
1896–97 Middlesbrough

In 1897, the league briefly split into two divisions.<ref name="RS" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Season Division One Division Two
1897–98 Stockton Howden-le-Wear
1898–99 Bishop Auckland Stockton St. John's
1899–1900 Darlington Whitby

In 1900, the league reverted to a single division.<ref name="RS" />

Season Champions
1900–01 Bishop Auckland
1901–02 Bishop Auckland
1902–03 Newcastle United A
1903–04 Newcastle United A
1904–05 Newcastle United A

In 1905 the league split into two sections, one for professionals and one for amateurs. This lasted for a single season.<ref name="RS" />

Season Professional Amateur
1905–06 Sunderland A Bishop Auckland

In 1906 the league reverted to a single division, a format retained until 1982.<ref name="RS" />

Season Champions
1906–07 Stockton
1907–08 South Bank
1908–09 Bishop Auckland
1909–10 Bishop Auckland
1910–11 Eston United
1911–12 Bishop Auckland
1912–13 Esh Winning Rangers<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1913–14 Willington
1914–15 Crook Town
1915–19 Not contested due to World War I
1919–20 South Bank
1920–21 Bishop Auckland
1921–22 South Bank
1922–23 Eston United
1923–24 Tow Law Town
1924–25 Tow Law Town
1925–26 Willington
1926–27 Crook Town
1927–28 Chilton Colliery Recreation
1928–29 Stockton
1929–30 Willington
1930–31 Bishop Auckland
1931–32 Stockton
1932–33 Stockton
1933–34 Shildon
1934–35 Shildon
1935–36 Shildon
1936–37 Shildon
1937–38 Ferryhill Athletic
1938–39 Bishop Auckland
1939–40 Shildon
1940–45 Not contested due to World War II
1945–46 Stanley United
1946–47 Bishop Auckland
1947–48 Ferryhill Athletic
1948–49 Evenwood Town
1949–50 Bishop Auckland
1950–51 Bishop Auckland
1951–52 Bishop Auckland
1952–53 Crook Town
1953–54 Bishop Auckland
1954–55 Bishop Auckland
1955–56 Bishop Auckland
1956–57 Billingham Synthonia
1957–58 Ferryhill Athletic
1958–59 Crook Town
1959–60 West Auckland Town
1960–61 West Auckland Town
1961–62 Stanley United
1962–63 Crook Town
1963–64 Stanley United
1964–65 Whitley Bay
1965–66 Whitley Bay
1966–67 Bishop Auckland
1967–68 Spennymoor United
1968–69 North Shields
1969–70 Evenwood Town
1970–71 Evenwood Town
1971–72 Spennymoor United
1972–73 Blyth Spartans
1973–74 Spennymoor United
1974–75 Blyth Spartans
1975–76 Blyth Spartans
1976–77 Spennymoor United
1977–78 Spennymoor United
1978–79 Spennymoor United
1979–80 Blyth Spartans
1980–81 Blyth Spartans
1981–82 Blyth Spartans

In 1982 the league added a second division.<ref name="RS" />

Season Division One Division Two
1982–83 Blyth Spartans Peterlee Newtown
1983–84 Blyth Spartans Chester-le-Street Town
1984–85 Bishop Auckland Brandon United
1985–86 Bishop Auckland Newcastle Blue Star
1986–87 Blyth Spartans Billingham Synthonia
1987–88 Blyth Spartans Stockton
1988–89 Billingham Synthonia Consett
1989–90 Billingham Synthonia Murton
1990–91 Gretna West Auckland Town
1991–92 Gretna Stockton
1992–93 Whitby Town Dunston Federation Brewery
1993–94 Durham City Bedlington Terriers
1994–95 Tow Law Town Whickham
1995–96 Billingham Synthonia Morpeth Town
1996–97 Whitby Town Northallerton
1997–98 Bedlington Terriers Chester-le-Street Town
1998–99 Bedlington Terriers Durham City
1999–2000 Bedlington Terriers Brandon United
2000–01 Bedlington Terriers Ashington
2001–02 Bedlington Terriers Shildon
2002–03 Brandon United Penrith
2003–04 Dunston Federation Brewery Ashington
2004–05 Dunston Federation Brewery West Allotment Celtic
2005–06 Newcastle Blue Star Consett
2006–07 Whitley Bay Spennymoor Town
2007–08 Durham City Penrith Town
2008–09 Newcastle Benfield Horden Colliery Welfare
2009–10 Spennymoor Town Stokesley
2010–11 Spennymoor Town Newton Aycliffe
2011–12 Spennymoor Town Team Northumbria
2012–13 Darlington Crook Town
2013–14 Spennymoor Town North Shields
2014–15 Marske United Seaham Red Star
2015–16 Shildon South Shields
2016–17 South Shields Stockton Town
2017–18 Marske United Blyth
2018–19 Dunston UTS Billingham Town
2019–20 No champions; season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic
2020–21 No champions; season abandoned due to lockdown regulations
2021–22 North Shields Carlisle City
2022–23 Newton Aycliffe Boro Rangers
2023–24 Bishop Auckland Blyth Town
2024–25 Redcar Athletic Horden C.W.

number of titles (1890-2024)

rank-club-(titles-last won)

  • 1-Bishop Auckland (20–2024)
  • 2-Blyth Spartans (10–1988)
  • 3-Spennymoor Town (10–2014)(a)
  • 4-Shildon (6–2016)
  • 5-Stockton (5–1933)
  • 6-Crook Town (5–1963)
  • 7-Bedlington Terriers (5–2002)
  • 8-Billingham Synthonia (4–1996)
  • 9-Middlesbrough Ironopolis (3–1893)
  • 10-Middlesbrough (3–1897)
  • 11-Newcastle (3–1905)
  • 12-South Bank (3–1922)
  • 13-Willington (3–1930)
  • 14-Ferryhill Athletic (3–1958)
  • 15-Stanley United (3–1964)
  • 16-Evenwood Town (3–1971)
  • 17-Tow Law Town (3–1995)
  • 18-Whitley Bay (3–2007)
  • 19-Darlington (3–2013)
  • 20-Eston United (2–1923)
  • 21-West Auckland Town (2–1961)
  • 22-Gretna (2–1992)
  • 23-Whitby Town (2–1997)
  • 24-Dunston Federation Brewery (2–2005)
  • 25-Durham City (2–2008)
  • 26-Marske United (2–2018)
  • 27-North Shield (2–2022)
  • 28-Darlington St.Augustine's (1–1890)
  • 29-Sunderland (1–1905)
  • 30-Esh Winning Rangers (1–1913)
  • 31-Chilton Colliery Recreation (1–1928)
  • 32-Brandon United (1–2003)
  • 33-Newcastle Blue Star (1–2006)
  • 34-Newcastle Benfield (1–2009)
  • 35-South Shield (1–2017)
  • 36-Dunston UTS (1–2019)
  • 37-Newton Aycliffe (1–2023)

in bold, competing for the 2023–24 season in division one or two

  • (a) with Spennymoor United, ancestor club

League Cup

Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue Notes
Template:Sort Cockfield 3–1 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR>Template:Cite book</ref>
Template:Sort Willington 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Willington 2–0 Crook Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Crook <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Stockton">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Nowrap Stockton 0–0 Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Stockton />
Template:Nowrap Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Stockton <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Stockton />
Template:Nowrap Stockton 3–0 Bishop Auckland Crook <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Stockton />
Template:Sort Willington 1–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Nowrap Willington 3–2 Chilton Colliery RA Chilton <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Whitby United 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Stockton <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Whitby>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Stockton 4–2 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Stockton />
Template:Sort Willington 3–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Willington 2–2 Whitby United Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Nowrap Willington 2–2 Whitby United Stockton <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Stockton 2–0 Willington Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Stockton />
Template:Sort Shildon 3–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Shildon 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Sort Evenwood Town 3–2 Trimdon Grange Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Crook Town 2–2 Bishop Auckland Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Nowrap Crook Town 2–1 Bishop Auckland Willington <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Shildon 1–0 Cockfield Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Sort Shildon 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Sort Shildon 2–0 Bishop Auckland Shildon <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Sort Crook Colliery Welfare 2–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Stanley United 3–1 Shildon Ferryhill <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort South Bank 3–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name="South Bank">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Willington 4–2 West Auckland Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 3–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 6–2 Ferryhill Athletic Shildon <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort Billingham Synthonia 1–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR />
Template:Nowrap Billingham Synthonia 1–0 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Shildon 3–3 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Nowrap Shildon 3–2 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Shildon />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 4–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 6–0 Crook Town Crook <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort South Bank 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook <ref name=NGR /><ref name="South Bank" />
Template:Sort Willington 3–0 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Stanley United 2–1 Durham City Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort West Auckland Town 7–0 Crook Town Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 1–0 Penrith Shildon <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort Crook Town 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Stanley United 5–1 West Auckland Town Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort West Auckland Town 4–0 Crook Town Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Whitby Town 2–0 West Auckland Town Shildon <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Whitby />
Template:Sort Whitley Bay 1–1 Spennymoor United North Shields <ref name=NGR />
Template:Nowrap Whitley Bay 3–1 Spennymoor United North Shields <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Spennymoor United 2–1 Penrith Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 4–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort Spennymoor United 0–0 Whitley Bay Crook <ref name=NGR />
Template:Nowrap Spennymoor United 3–2 Whitley Bay North Shields <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort North Shields 2–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Whitby Town 4–1 Spennymoor United South Bank <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Whitby />
Template:Sort Whitley Bay 4–1 North Shields Blyth <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort North Shields 0–0 Spennymoor United Blyth <ref name=NGR />
Template:Nowrap North Shields 2–1 Spennymoor United Ferryhill <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Blyth Spartans 2–0 Spennymoor United Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Tow Law Town 2–1 Ashington Crook <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Willington 2–1 Bishop Auckland Spennymoor <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Willington />
Template:Sort Bishop Auckland 2–1 Ashington Blyth <ref name=NGR /><ref name="Bishop Auckland" />
Template:Sort Whitby Town 3–1 Durham City Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Blyth Spartans 5–1 Willington North Shields <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Blyth Spartans 4–3 Consett Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Spennymoor United 2–1 North Shields Consett <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Spennymoor United 2–0 Consett Blyth <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Blyth Spartans *1–1 South Bank Bishop Auckland <ref name=NGR />*2–1(pens)
Template:Sort Norton & Stockton Ancients 2–1 Whitby Town Horden <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Horden Colliery Welfare 2–0 Blyth Spartans North Shields <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Whitby Town 2–1 North Shields Spennymoor <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Whitby />
Template:Sort Blue Star 2–0 Durham City Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Spennymoor United 2–1 Easington Colliery Shildon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Billingham Synthonia 2–1 Shildon Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Guisborough Town 2–1 Tow Law Town Spennymoor <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Billingham Synthonia 5–2 Whitby Town Guisborough <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Gretna 1–0 Newcastle Blue Star Newcastle (Blue Star) <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Blyth Spartans 1–0 Consett Murton <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Seaham Red Star *2–2 Brandon United Billingham (Town) <ref name=NGR />*3–0 (pens)
Template:Sort Northallerton Town 2–0 Blyth Spartans Brandon <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Consett 2–0 Whitby Town Crook <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Whitby Town 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Billingham (Synthonia) <ref name=NGR /><ref name=Whitby />
Template:Sort Bedlington Terriers 3–0 Billingham Synthonia Dunston <ref name=NGR />
Template:Sort Dunston Fed Brewery 3–2 Tow Law Town Durham <ref name=NL>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort Dunston Fed Brewery 4–1 Jarrow Roofing Peterlee <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Dunston Fed Brewery 4–0 Durham City Jarrow <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Bedlington Terriers 4–1 Marske United West Auckland <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Durham City *3–2 Shildon Durham <ref name=NL /> aet *gg
Template:Sort Shildon *3–2 Billingham Synthonia Darlington (Feethams) <ref name=Shildon /><ref name=NL /> aet *gg
Template:Sort Dunston Fed Brewery *2–1 Durham City Whitley Bay <ref name=NL /> aet *gg
Template:Sort Bedlington Terriers *2–2 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham <ref name=NL />*7–6(pens)
Template:Sort Newcastle Blue Star 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham City <ref name=NL /> aet
Template:Sort Newcastle Benfield 1–0 Sunderland Nissan Dunston <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Billingham Town 2–1 Shildon Seaham <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Newcastle Benfield 2–0 West Allotment Celtic West Allotment <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort South Shields *2–2 Ashington Dunston <ref name=NL />*6–5 (pens)
Template:Sort Newcastle Benfield 3–1 Spennymoor Town Dunston <ref name=NL /> aet
Template:Sort Team Northumbria 4–1 West Auckland Town Newcastle (Coach Lane) <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Spennymoor Town 1–0 Newcastle Benfield Consett <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Marske United 2–1 Whitley Bay Newcastle (St.James' Park) <ref name=NL /> aet
Template:Sort Shildon 2–0 Newton Aycliffe Bishop Auckland <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Shildon *1–1 Marske United Billingham (Synthonia) <ref name=NL />*4–3 (pens)
Template:Sort South Shields 5–0 North Shields Whitley Bay <ref name=NL />
Template:Sort Dunston UTS 1–0 Bishop Auckland Consett <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Sort West Auckland Town *0–0 Newcastle Benfield Seaham <ref name=NL />*4–3 (pens)
Template:Sort Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Template:Sort Cancelled due to COVID-19 local lockdown regulations
Template:Sort Cancelled
Template:Sort Cancelled
  • gg = Golden goal

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Northern League (football) Template:Football in England table cells

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